Indians invite INF Andy LaRoche to Major League camp
The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent INF Andy LaRoche to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp.
LaRoche, 28, owns a career Major League average of .226 (267-1180) over 403 games with the Dodgers, Pirates and A’s since debuting in 2007. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 39th round of the 2003 draft and was rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in the LA system entering 2007. He was later traded to Pittsburgh in July 2008 in a three-team trade that sent Manny Ramirez to LA from Boston. He was Pittsburgh’s regular third baseman in 2009, hitting .258 (135-524) with 29 2B, 12HR & 64 RBI in 150 games.
Andy was on the 2011 Oakland Athletics opening day roster and spent the first two months of the season with the A’s, hitting .247 (23-93) with 6 2B, 1 3B and 5RBI in 40 games while appearing at all four infield positions. He was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on June 8 and spent the rest of the season with the River Cats. His brother, Adam, has enjoyed an eight-year Major League career and currently plays for Washington. His father, Dave, appeared in 647 games over 14 seasons from 1970-83 and pitched for the Indians from 1975-77, leading the club in appearances and saves in both 1975 and 1976.